Running a Restaurant/Existing Business

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Expert: Rick Dudasik - 8/7/2013

QuestionI have an opportunity to lease a fully equipped restaurant. It's a small mom and pop type of place that has been leased by 7 others in the last 16 years. There were various reasons the other renters left from debt to thinking it would be fun and not hard work to just burned out. The person who stayed the longest was me. I was the second renter and was there 4 years and made out pretty well, but the 14 hour days, 7 days a week was horrible and I burned out. The building and equipment have been kept up to date and in excellent shape...excellent price, location, etc. I know I can make a go of it because I have before. My question is: how do I make this business have a different feel so that others don't look at it as though it wont last like the others? Another location is not an option, so I really want to make this work.

AnswerDear Cris,

Perhaps market your return as a previous owner and try to recapture your once loyal customers.

Also consider closing on your slowest day of the week to keep your sanity.

You make no mention of the type of place it is or location so I can't offer a whole lot of advise.

Rick Dudasik

Expertise

I can answer questions relating to most areas of the restaurant industry including: starting a restaurant, design, food costing and pricing, site selection, staffing, training, equipment, profit and loss questions, sales training, recipies and many other areas of the industry. I have been in the industry for thirty years and have experience in fast food management, multi unit management, casual dinning management,and ownership. Have helped open over fifteen units throughout the United States.